FOXBOROUGH – After a sluggish, rainy, fairly boring 17-3 Patriots win over the Panthers on Thursday night, Jalen Coker walked down the visitors tunnel and back out onto the field.

Right there in the corner of the end zone was a big support group waiting for him with open arms. Friends and family who have now become rabid Carolina fans, supporting No. 18 following his first NFL game about an hour away from where he left a legacy at Holy Cross.

Coker had one catch for three yards on two targets and nearly had a touchdown late in the game. Carolina may have lost too, but all things considered, Thursday night was a dream come true for Coker and his family.

“Totally surreal,” Coker said of getting to make his NFL debut in Gillette Stadium. “It kind of just goes back to the work I’ve been putting in. I feel like I was prepared for this moment. That’s something that goes back to OTA’s and then minicamp and then all that stuff. But, really just a blessing to be out there. Great show out..my mom, my family came, you guys (Holy Cross media Sarah Kirkpatrick and Danielle Raciot) all came. It’s just such an amazing experience to come back here for my first NFL game.

“You couldn’t write it any better.”

When Coker first saw the schedule and that there might be an opportunity to play in his first NFL game here, there was a bit of a ‘holy crap’ moment, and then the realization that he still needed to earn the right to make it to Foxborough.

“I was hoping I could make the trip,” he said with a bit of a laugh. “That was my big thing as soon as it came out. I’m here and I feel like I represented Holy Cross really well.”

The NFL transition isn’t easy for any rookie, let alone a guy who went under the radar, but Coker feels like he’s adjusting nicely.

“I feel like…of course, everyone is a professional. Everyone is a great football player,” he said. “I think the biggest thing is the speed. The linemen are fast. The linebackers are fast. Everyone’s just got that extra gear. I feel like knowing what you’re doing and playing fast is the biggest thing. So, really getting in your playbook, knowing the plays – not just knowing them but knowing how to work off of them – I feel like that’s the biggest thing.

Coker was also asked what the biggest thing is that he took from Holy Cross that he’s been able to apply early in his career.

“I think just the sense of camaraderie,” he added. “In this league, you can kind of get separated by guys who are being paid so much money and they’re separated from the team, but I feel like being able to bring everyone together and be friendly with everyone, creating that family atmosphere is the biggest thing I took from Holy Cross. That’s what everyone’s going to tell you. That whole family aspect is what separates us from everyone else.”

Speaking of which, it’s becoming more and more ‘normal’ to see former Crusaders in the NFL. In fact, both Benton Whitley and Ayir Asante had big nights for the Giants on Friday in their preseason game against Detroit. That brotherhood is real and the guys that used to wear purple and white are still in close contact all the time.

Forget a red or blue wave in November, the purple wave is slowly but surely starting to sweep across the NFL.

“Every day,” Coker said when asked if he’s still talking to all the guys that are also just beginning their careers. “CJ (Hanson) texted me the other week. I just texted Ayir today, I heard that he had a great game and Benton as well. You’ve got Liam (Anderson), Kalif (Raymond), it’s just…it’s slowly becoming the norm. To see guys come from Holy Cross, it’s not only great for the school, but it’s great for us to show that we can play just as well.

“It’s a huge honor that we’re able to do that. I’m so happy they’re doing well, I’m doing well. It’s just amazing.”